The Journey Begins

Thad got up from the bed. He strode purposefully to the mantle and picked up the Celtic cross on the silver chain. He examined it briefly turning it over in his hand. On the back was engraved a single word "Canterbury." He put the chain around his neck and walked over to the still open window. He caught sight of the moon and called to her, "What should I do?"
The moon replied "Address me more politely and I may indulge you with advice."
"Oh, Luna, you who are fairer than all the crystal stars and all the other lights in the heavens. You who are always going west to the new life. What do you see as the path I should take?"
"You are to go to Canterbury. A great pilgrimage. To Canterbury you must go." answered the moon.
"What is the way?" Thad asked.
The moon replied "Why, west of course. You have one road west open to you and it leads to Canterbury."
"What about Anne, who has gone east? or Beth who has gone west? You say I am to go west, does that mean with Beth?" Thad asked.
"No indeed," replied the moon "Beth's road west is a very different one than yours. You would not find Beth going to Canterbury as a pilgrim. Perhaps as a historian or an artist, but those are very different roads than the pilgrim's."
"I thank you much for this advice, fair Luna" said Thad "I shall leave at once, my room is clean enough now."

Thad closed the window and walked to the door. He turned around and took one more look around. It was good that he should do so. Hidden in the corner, not seen before now he found a backpack seemly packed for a long walk and a handsome staff. He took these items and walked out his door. Much to his surprise he did not walk out into the great hall. Once he walked out his door he found himself in the woods on a path of packed dirt. "So begins the road to Canterbury." whispered Thad to himself and he began walking.

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© 2003 - Jonathan Gardner